The question
Which physical, statistical, and post-processing parameters determine the transition to a positive secret-key length?
Why it matters
Quantum key distribution (QKD) establishes secret material between distant parties. Real experiments collect finite samples and operate with imperfect links, so idealized security calculations are only a starting point.
What you could investigate
- Implement a prepare-and-measure and/or entanglement-based QKD model with basis choice, loss, detector noise, and finite samples.
- Reproduce a known comparison between asymptotic and finite-key predictions, including parameter estimation, reconciliation leakage, and privacy amplification.
- Vary the data allocated to estimation and explore when decoy states change the feasibility of key generation.
What you could create
- A documented QKD simulator
- Sensitivity plots and a validated baseline
- An analysis separating physical, statistical, and post-processing limits